The Cummer Gallery of Art, built on the site of the home of Arthur Gerrish Cummer and Ninah May Holden Cummer, was dedicated at a glittering reception held on November 10, 1961.

Opening night, November 10, 1961

One thousand guests attended, including Florida Governor Farris Bryant and Jacksonville Mayor Haydon Burns. Governor Bryant said that he “was moved to walk on tiptoes and whisper when confronting the magnificence of the museum.” He felt that “It is impossible to add to the luster, romance or significance…I know of no elevation of spirit in the history of Florida greater than that displayed here.” In the same vein. Mayor Bums added, “The people of Jacksonville have never received a gift comparable in generosity or beauty to the museum… a testament to the heritage of the past and representing the strength and character of those who were leaders of Jacksonville in the past.”

Guests enjoyed music by Gerson Yessin, pianist and members of the I Musici Society.

Opening night in the Museum lobby

The artwork displayed consisted of the works acquired by the Cummers, as well as three special exhibitions: a collection of 51 etchings by the Scottish-American artist James McBey, now part of the Museum’s permanent collection, a selection of French paintings on loan from a New York gallery, and an exhibition of American art on loan from the National Academy of Design.

Opening night in the galleries

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/06/do-you-know-the-cummer-10/#commentsWed, 15 Jun 2011 13:00:43 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=2378How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/05/do-you-know-the-cummer-8/#commentsWed, 18 May 2011 13:00:24 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=2356How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/05/do-you-know-the-cummer-7/#commentsWed, 04 May 2011 13:00:44 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=2350How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/04/do-you-know-the-cummer-6/#commentsWed, 13 Apr 2011 13:00:53 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=2340How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/03/do-you-know-the-cummer-5/#commentsWed, 30 Mar 2011 13:00:28 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=1422How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/03/do-you-know-the-cummer-4/#commentsWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:19 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=1415How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!

After we removed all the paintings and furniture, then all the Meissen, then all the cases, we started tearing down the fabric. Underneath the fabric was cotton batting stapled to the wall, so then we had to remove the batting and yes, remove all the staples with pliers.

How many staples do you think we removed from the walls in the Lovett? Not only was the batting stapled along each vertical seam, it was also stapled along the top edge of the wall along the ceiling AND the bottom edge of the wall along the marble. I will only say it is a miracle any of us can actually use our hands today, and that poor Mark is still down there pulling….

The person with the guess closest to the actual number of staples will win a special prize, which will be announced next week! Stay tuned for more updates on the Lovett Gallery rennvoation.

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http://blog.cummer.org/2011/03/do-you-know-the-cummer-3/#commentsWed, 02 Mar 2011 14:00:41 +0000http://blog.cummer.org/?p=1395How well do you know The Cummer? If you think you can identify these items—currently on display throughout the Museum as 50 Favorites. Write your guesses in the comment section below and we will give the answers in two weeks, along with the next challenge. One winner will receive a complimentary one-day pass to the Museum. Good luck!